’How can you…’ Andy Gray says Liverpool got lucky after Chelsea controversy in Carabao Cup final

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The young kids of Liverpool upstaged big-spending Chelsea to secure a 1-0 extra-time win in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

This was the third meeting in two years between these English heavyweights, with Jurgen Klopp’s side winning the previous encounters, both on penalties.

As expected, there were many talking points during the game, from Moises Caicedo’s possible red card challenge in the first half, Raheem Sterling having a goal ruled out for offside and Virgil van Dijk’s second-half goal receiving the same treatment.

Andy Gray thinks Liverpool were fortunate that Raheem Sterling’s goal didn’t stand because he questioned ‘how you can work out’ that Nicolas Jackson was offside in the build-up, as he told beIN SPORTS (25/02/24 at 6:15 pm).

The legendary striker thinks that controversial call ‘went in Liverpool’s favour’, with Chelsea then going on to spurn chance after chance to score.

But Liverpool’s backline, led by captain Virgil van Dijk, produced a performance of a lifetime, even though some calls went against them, before the ice-cool Dutchman got his eventual winner in extra-time.

On paper, Chelsea and Liverpool may have played out three finals with only one goal scored, but the reality, and drama that came with it all, actually tells a different story.

Raheem Sterling’s goal ruled out for Nicolas Jackson offside

“This is another one, a long, long look by VAR,” said Gray. “I mean look at that, how can you work out that’s offside?!

“They have taken Jackson’s shoulder of all things and disallowed it. If that’s what they want, then so be it. 

“That decision went for Liverpool, that was one of the few ones that actually went in their favour.”

Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino are in a world of trouble…

It’s going to take a lot for those ardent Chelsea fans to trust the process being put on the table by the powers that be at the club.

There isn’t much time for the team to recover because it’s a midweek FA Cup tie against high-flying Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the mood gets toxic pretty quickly, especially if Daniel Farke’s side, who have won nine Championship games in a row, open the scoring.

Not only does a lot rest on this FA Cup game for Mauricio Pochettino, but his team have all fallen into the bottom-half of the Premier League table once again.